Watsonians 6-13 Boroughmuir: Too strong for ’Sonians

Watsonians Ross Aitken tries to halt Boroughmuirs Alex Cox. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The Meggetland men now know that a bonus-point victory over Selkirk this coming weekend would give them the title because they would be 16 points ahead and unable to be caught.

At Myreside in changeable weather conditions they were trailing for the whole first half until centre Alex Cox ran in an interception try which seemed to knock the stuffing out of ‘Sonians.

In the second half two penalties edged ‘Muir further ahead and they then defended manfully to keep their local rivals out and leave them with just a losing bonus point.

By the time referee Daniel Shaw blew the final whistle a monsoon was swirling around the ground and the early evening darkness was coming, but through the gloom you could still see how much this meant to head coach Bruce Aitchison and his men.

The match got off to a sloppy start with stray passes being the order of the day, but once things settled down it was an absorbing contest.

In the ninth minute ‘Muir had the first chance to open the scoring. Stand-off David Reekie’s penalty hit the post and Cox, following up, just failed to collect the rebound and go over for an unlikely try.

Five minutes later the hosts took the lead at the other end when stand-off Mike Ker kicked a penalty of his own.

‘Muir then had a couple of chances to release exciting winger Jordan Edmunds, but on both occasions the final pass to him was poor and he knocked the ball on off his bootlaces.

Three minutes before the break Ker’s second penalty put ‘Sonians 6-0 up before the same man’s pass in midfield was intercepted and Cox ran in for a try from 40 metres out with Reekie converting. That gave the visitors’ some confidence and after full-back Craig Marshall missed a penalty in the 44th minute he redeemed himself by to kicking one 12 minutes later.

Try as ‘Sonians might, with second-row Mark Rennie leading from the front, they could not get enough good field position to threaten the Boroughmuir line. And with three minutes remaining Reekie sealed the victory for the leaders with another penalty. For them hooker Cal Davies was very impressive in both defence and attack.

Scorers: Watsonians: Pens: Ker 2. Boroughmuir: Try: Cox: Pens: Marshall, Reekie. Con: Reekie.

Watsonians: A Ledingham; J Ferguson, B Di Rollo, R Aitken, R Steele; M Ker, M Page; M Christie, M Brierley, J Forrester, C Smith, M Rennie, J Jones, N Dennis, E Miller. Subs used: A Ross, T Gracie, J Leiataua, C Scott, R Young.

Boroughmuir: C Marshall; R Bradford, A Cox, S Wilson, J Edmunds; D Reekie, J Adams; R Wilson, C Davies, J Latta, A Best, G Scott, J Hare, I Moody, A Rose. Subs: S Laird, T Sutton, W Kay, S Johnson.

Referee: D Shaw.